1. Relaxation Haircutting

2. Dry Brushing

3. Day Spa History

4 Algae: unleashed secrets from the sea

Relaxation Haircutting

The relaxation haircutting technique is based on the addsition of the ancient art of aromatherapy combined with the art of acupressure’s potent points. Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s lift force to aid healing.

There are also great advantages to using acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.

Acupressure traces its roots some 5000 years ago when the Chinese discovered that pressing certain points on the body relieved pain where it occurred and also benefited other parts of the body more remote from the pain point.

Acupressure points also called potent points are places on the skin that are especially sensitive to bioelectrical impulses. Asian –cultures conceived of points as junctures of special pathways that carry energy that the Chinese called chi. Stimulation of these points with pressure triggers a release of endorphins, which are neuro-chemicals that relieve pain. As a result pain is blocked and the flow of blood and oxygen is increased.

Acupressure points have two identities and methods of working. When you stimulate the area where you find the pain it is called a local point. The same point can relieve tension in another part of the body, which is called a trigger point.

The healing benefits of acupressure combined with aromatherapy involved both the relaxation of the body and its positive effects on the mind. A s tension is released, you not only feel good physically, but also feel better emotionally and mentally. When your body relaxes, your mind relaxes as well, creating another state of consciousness. The expanded awareness leads to mental clarity and a healthier physical state.

Potent points for relaxation haircutting

Shoulder well (GB 21) Benefits: Relieves stiff neck, tension, circulation, irritably.

Heavenly Pillar (B 10) Benefits: Relieves stress, increases clarity, insomnia, relaxes the body.

Wind Mansion (GV 16) Benefits: Clears the mind, headaches, nosebleeds, pain in eyes, ears and nose.

One hundred meeting point (GV 20) Benefits: Clears the mind and calms the spirit, helps memory and concentration.

Gates of Consciousness (GB 20) Benefits: Relieves headaches, neck pain, poor memory, concentration.

Windows of Heaven (TW 16) Benefits: Relieves stiff necks, headaches and shoulder pain.

Drilling Bamboo (B 2) Benefits: Relieves hay fever, sinus pains, headaches and improves vision.

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Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is based on the ancient Chinese concepts of acupuncture and acupressure. The Chinese recognize three million nerve points spread over the surface of the skin. Simply put when these nerve points are stimulated, current flow through channels called meridians and stimulate the activity of specific organs. By applying friction to these points the whole nervous system is stimulated and invigorated. The effects are directly conveyed to every organ, gland, muscle, and ligament in the body.

Benefits of dry brushing

Stimulates and increases blood circulation in all organs and tissues especially capillaries near the skin.

Stimulates the eliminative capacity of the skin helping it to rid the system of toxins, placing less of a burden on the organs.

Stimulates nerve endings in the skin, rejuvenates the entire nervous system.

Reduces cellulite deposits.

Tones and tightens the skin. Improves overall health, and increases resistance to colds.

Improves clarity of thought by stimulating the lungs increasing oxygen to brain, actually improves thinking.

Lymphatic Pathway
( Body brush in direction of arrows.)

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Day Spa History

"The lord hath created medicines out of the earth, and he that is wise will not abhor them" – The Bible

What is a Spa

A Spa is a place one goes to restore ones health. Usually, on a site with a mineral spring or other natural resource. A place where emphasis is placed on physical and emotional well-being and where the atmosphere is cheerful and relaxed.

The word Spa finds its origins to a town near Liege in southeast Belgium in the Ardennes near German border where a spring of chalybeate (iron) water is found. Its fame dates back to the year 1326 when an ironworker having heard of a fountain in the woods with health giving properties, went there in hopes of finding a cure for his ailments. To show his gratitude for his restored health, he founded at the spring a health resort, which was named Espa, which means "fountain". We know the term is English as Spa.

The history of Spa’s dates back thousands of years. Balneotherapy – the practice of using waters from springs, pools or rivers for the treatment and cure of disease predates recorded history. The practice developed independently through various cultures in different parts of the world. The practice developed independently through various cultures in different parts of the world. Archeological findings in Asia substantiate the fact that people have bathed in the mineral waters in the Bronze Age, about 3000 B.C..

From early records found in Egypt there are accounts of water being used in bathing as a sacred right.

In his writings, Josephus mentions the thermal baths of Calirrhea near the Dead Sea. These Baths were used by Herod the great during his illness and were made famous by him.

The ancient Greeks believed that their waters had supernatural mystical powers because the springs were the dwelling place of the Gods.

Located in a valley on the east of Greece there is a very famous spring where Asclepius, the God of health, was said to be born. It was here that a beautiful temple was erected and sanatorium was built where people from all over the world came to be treated by famous physicians who used the mineral water for bathing and drinking.

Water played a very important role in the lives of the Romans. They built huge bath houses that were controlled by the state and were available at a nominal charge. Throughout the reign of the Roman Empire many Bath houses were erected throughout Europe.

The origins of the Day Spa

The first Day Spa in the United States is credited to be Noelle, a Day Spa in Stamford CT. Noelle visited many Spas in Europe in the early 1970’s and in 1974 decided to offer Spa type services on a day basis. She did not offer water services until the late 80’s.

Destination Spa vs. Day Spa

The primary difference between the destination spa and day spa is in a day spa the focus is on spa services that are beauty related where spa services are experienced individually or for a full day. A destination spa usually is more health related i.e. emphasis on fitness and nutrition, clients usually spend a week or two to accomplish specific goals.

Day Spa Demographics – Who is Day Spa goers?
According to recent report from the Spa at PGA National Resort the following summarized findings:

Being pampered was the primary motivator for almost 70% of female spa goers while stress reduction ranked a close second.

Improving looks and losing weight ranked a distant third.

Massage is the most popular service followed by manicures and facials.

Seventy two percent prefer female therapists.

Majority of the Spa goers reported earnings US$35-$50,000 per year. Second highest bracket was in the US$150,000 and up.

By age the highest percentage of spa goers was in the 25-34 and 35-44 range.

Fifty percent indicated their first spa visit was between 25-34 age.

Different types of Spas

Resort Spas They are located on the property of a hotel or resort. Spa guest and hotel guests intermingle.

Amenity Spas Similar to a resort spa although the spa is not looked upon as a profit center.

Destination Spas This is a hotel property geared specially to spa guests and spa programs.

Retail & Service vs. Salons

The typical salon generates 10% of their revenues from retail sales. The day spa with the addition of spa and skin services will generate between 20 & 50 percent of revenues from retail. As a general rule Day Spa’s focus more attention towards retail sales.

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Algae: unleashed secrets from the sea

Algae to the rescue! Since the beginning of time, the therapeutic value of the sea has been recognized. The sea has been referred to as the "soup of life" and interestingly, seawater contains each of the nutrients found in blood plasma…nutrients, however, at an amazing 10,000 times the concentration. Algae are also rich in mineral salts, which are quite often lacking in our diets…Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium.

In the year 1750 Englishman Richard Russell, who said "It is necessary to drink seawater and to bathe and eat all things from the sea where seawater virtues may be concentrated", endorsed seawater officially in print.

Seawater contains minerals, mineral salts, and trace elements that are vital and essential for the body’s biological processes to function properly. The body does not produce these elements, but come from outside sources either by food or tropical means. They are catalysts for chemical reactions necessary for physical wellness. They aid in the synthesis of enzymes, vitamins, and hormones more efficiently in the body.

Seaweeds are nature’s most complete and balanced nutrients. When used externally on the body, they increase circulation, add even skin tone, stimulate the body’s lymphatic system (the body’s waste system), eliminating trapped toxins and speed up metabolism aiding in the breakdown of fatty tissue.

Seaweed is absorbed through the skin very easily due to the similarities between seawater and human blood plasma. The small molecular size of the seaweed also makes absorption easier. Another way the body absorbs seaweeds vital nutrients is through osmosis (the tendency of a fluid to pass through a semi-permeable membrane into solution where its concentration is lower thus equalizing the conditions on either side of the membrane.)

As a nutritional supplement, seaweed contains nutrients, minerals, trace elements and amino acids that are essential to the human body. Internally, seaweed acts as a natural bowel cleanser and blood purifier. Natural iodine speeds up metabolism, assists in weight loss, as well as stimulates thyroxin production, which strengthens the body’s immune system.

What is algae: Seaweed

Algae: refers to all water plants without a vascular stem (root, stems, etc.) They are categorized by size and color.

Plankton: These are one-cell microscopic plants that float or drift in huge numbers. More than 25,00 species have been identified and they are the base of the food chain in the ocean. Some examples include:

Chlorella: The first life form in our oceans.

Spirulina: Found in alkaline waters in Africa and Mexico; a rich source of proteins.

Algae supply the planet with 75% of the oxygen in the atmosphere.

Seaweeds: These are multi-cellular plants that range in size from a few inches in length to the giant Macrocystic Pyrifera that grow to a amazing length of 180 feet. Also known to many as kelp, there are some 3000 species that thrive along the coastal waters and continents. Some examples of seaweeds are:

Laminaria Digitata: long leafy seaweed rich in minerals, trace elements and beta-carotenes.

Lithothamnium Calcareum: A white corollaceous algae that grows in its own shell and is rich in calcium and magnesium.

Fucus Vesiculosos: A brown algae found in the inter-tidal pools that is rich in iodine and prized by pharmacists for its metabolic properties.

Brittany: Blessed by nature The western most peninsula in France, Brittany is endowed with one of the richest concentrations of marine vegetation in the world. More than 800 species of seaweed prospers in the pollution free waters.

Seaweeds flourish in cold waters. Arctic currents and the Gulf Stream that bring a wealth of nutrients bath Brittany. The tides are among the highest in the world (38 feet) and assure a constant interchange of fresh, clean seawater.

Pollution Free
There have never been industrial factories with run-offs of toxic chemicals and wastes to pollute the coastal waters. Nor are there major rivers that empty their pollutants. Brittany is well favored by nature and untouched by industrial pollution – an ideal world for one of the world’s richest reserves of sea vegetation.

How Seaweed is harvested
A great deal of care should go into harvesting and selection of seaweeds. A good selection is from "food grade" plants, which are healthy living plants that dwell along the rocky seafloor of the continental shelf.

Testing the Waters
The harvesting of seaweed is strictly controlled by regulatory agencies of the European Economic Community and the French government. Water samples are taken by the University of Brest each week to test for purity. Harvest time is set by three regulatory agencies to ensure that the natural resources never become depleted and that the harvest conforms to the highest standards.

Laminarias
The most prized seaweed for its nutritional wealth that us suited for spa therapies are Laminarias. These noble plants reign in the deep waters (30-40 feet) off the north coast of Brittany. The Laminarias are 8-12 feet in length from the brown algae family and are rich in beta-carotenes.

Patented processing
Micronization Marine biologists have long known the amazing nutritive and healing properties of seaweed. Yet, a tough cellulose wall locked in a substantial portion of this rich treasure of nutrients. This posed a mystery. The mystery was solved in the early 1960’s, when a team of marine biochemists discovered how to break through the thick cellulose barrier.

What this meant was simple. Seaweeds contain a wealth of micronutrients essential to healthy living. Through a process called micronization the cellulose barrier can be broken leaving all of its vital nutrients intact.

This is the process whereby wholly fresh seaweeds are vacuum-packed into large sterile turbines. The seaweeds are then spun at high speeds and at cold temperatures. The intense centrifugal temperatures cause a micro bursting of the cellular walls, while special micro-blades pulverize the seaweed into the finest powder available in the world.

Properties of Seaweeds

Circulation
Poor circulation is the bane of heavy legs and skin lacking tone. Seaweed applications and masks do the following:

Vaso-dilate capillaries in the skin tissues bringing much-needed nutrients and oxygen.

Speed up metabolism and allow the bodies own lipolytic (fat burning) enzymes to have better access to stubborn cellulitic tissues.

Flush out toxins and stimulate lymphatic to drain trapped toxins and water that damage the connective tissues and bring on the "orange peel" look.

Nutritional Equation
Harvested in pure seawater, seaweeds can be considered as nature/’s most complete and balanced nutrient. All of its minerals, trace elements, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and hormones are found in abundance. The key points to remember are:

Balance: The essential nutrients are chelated naturally in perfect proportion for the human body. This allows for ease of assimilation into the bloodstream.

Metabolism: Natural iodine helps speed up metabolism for those looking to lose weight. Beta-carotenes work on liver functions that equally impact metabolism.

Fortifies Immunity: Iodine stimulates thyroxin production to regulate the thymus, the master gland of immunity.

Fight Stress: Magnesium salts fight off the effects of stress while potassium levels improve neutral functions.

Nutrition
Besides its many properties as a perfect nutrient, seaweed plays an equally important role in its purifying properties.

Alginic Acid: Internally, these nutrients line the villi of the colon. There they chelate with toxin metals, radioactive strontium and other harmful wastes. These impurities circulating in the bloodstream are drawn out of the porous capillaries through osmosis, and safely eliminated in the stools.

Organic Iodine: Has been found to leech out inorganic iodine products that are considered harmful allergens

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